Red Lotus and White Goose

Dateearly 1920's

Maker Nishimura Goun Japanese, 1877-1938

Label TextA shallow, wide basin in the Fushimi district of Kyoto, Ogura Pond was famous among tourists and artists alike for its magnificent lotus plants. Goun was one of a number of nihonga painters who depicted the pond, relying on personal observation from a boat afloat on the water. Although this work builds on a common lineage of Chinese lotus and bird paintings, Goun's portrayal owes far more to Rinpa master Sotatsu than to any Chinese model. He borrows Sotatsu's famed tarashikomi technique-wet color applied over paint that is not yet dry-for a moist, softly textured form. Sotatsu himself painted this subject in a work that is now designated a National Treasure.

Object number2010.41.74

Photo CreditPhoto: Eduardo Calderon

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, "Transforming Traditions: Japanese and Korean Art since 1800", May 23, 2009 - February 21, 2010Published ReferencesMorioka, Michiyo; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 200, illus. 55.

Credit LineGift of Griffith and Patricia Way, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

Dimensions82 3/4 x 25 7/8 in. (210.2 x 65.7 cm)

MediumInk and colors on silk